Chapter 57: Be Strong in Life, Lu Zhiyuan
Trantor: Dragon Boat Trantion Editor: Dragon Boat Trantion
At ten o’clock, the race began, and as the race track warmed up, the atmosphere became lively. The audience in the seats also joined in the excitement, with Zhou Jinjin screaming and shouting Lu Zhiyuan’s name.
Ji Ran poured a ss of wine and rubbed his ears. “You’ll probably do better if I give you a loudspeaker.”
“None of your business!” Zhou Jinjin snapped back viciously. She paid no attention to anyone, not even the handsome guys. She jumped and screamed, her voice drowning out everything else. The VIP seats were filled with wealthy women and hardcore fans, and amidst the chaos, someone shouted even louder than Zhou Jinjin while a group of girls screamed like crazy.
Lu Zhiyuan maneuvered through the curves on the straight track but found himself stuck in the middle. Driver 22 quickly finished the first 15 minutes and eliminated six drivers, leaving Lu Zhiyuan in eleventh ce.
The timer was reset to zero after a five-minute break.
The 16 cars lined up in order and took to the track again. The drivers resumed their chase, intensifying thepetition for the top five positions. Lu Zhiyuan remained trapped in the middle, with Zhou Jinjin’s voice now hoarse from constantly shouting his name.
“Go, overtake! Don’t be scared, catch up! Oh, damn it, number 14 just overtook us. Isn’t that a foul? Referee, are you blind? Ahhhh, this idiot keeps blocking my husband from overtaking! Fuck…”
Ji Xiong was sipping his wine when Zhou Jinjin’s words startled him, causing him to spit out the red wine and stare in disbelief.
Who did you just say husband?
Chen Rushi also seemed surprised. Zhou Jinjin had referred to Lu Zhiyuan as her “hubby”? Although both Lu Zhiyuan and Zhou Jinjin were Chinese, they had grown up in Europe and the United States, away from the local culture.
“Damn it, Cici, look! That idiot is blocking my husband again. I’m so angry. Who is this fucking idiot? Ferrari, huh… Fl killer, no wonder. Lu Zhiyuan, you have to teach him a lesson!”
The second stage of 15 minutes quickly came to an end, eliminating another 6 participants and leaving only 10 remaining. The third stage followed a 20-minutepetition that would determine the starting order for the main race. Everyone had to fight for their position.
Both No. 14 and Max made it to the third round.
Lu Zhiyuan clutched his lower abdomen, feeling the pain intensify. He hadn’t exerted much strength in the first half of the match, but his wound had reopened, causing him considerable difort. The qualifying match was now over, and the main race would take ce the following day. Lu Zhiyuan nced at the VIP stands.
Gu Ci sat among the spectators, her gaze fixed on him.
Lu Zhiyuan took a deep breath. The crew was busy changing tires and inspecting the car. During the break, fans enthusiastically shouted the names of their favorite drivers, and Lu Zhiyuan’s name resounded the loudest.
“Lu Zhiyuan isn’t in good condition,” Chen Rushi calmly stated, sipping his red wine. “I don’t think he can secure first ce in the qualifyingpetition.”
Zhou Jinjin and Gu Ci looked at each other simultaneously. Zhou Jinjin ced her hands on her hips. “The third section hasn’t even beenpleted yet. How can you be sure he won’t get first ce? The reason he ran slower today was because of the impact from the car ident. He’s injured and conserving his strength!”
Chen Rushi hadn’t expected to be challenged by the young girl and regarded her with a gentle gaze. “You’re right.”
Ji Chi apuded her and gave her a thumbs-up. Gu Ci remained silent, but her eyes remained fixed on Lu Zhiyuan. She recalled his words.
He had said, “Gu Ci, I will win.”
The third stage began.
Lu Zhiyuan prepared himself for the race. This time, his starting position was particrly unfavorable as he was stuck in the middle. As they sprinted, all the drivers followed a fixed track. The Ferrari driver was ahead of Lu Zhiyuan, deliberately blocking his position.
“Is this idiot doing it on purpose? Is he?” Zhou Jinjin fumed. “Referee, are you blind?”
When Lu Zhiyuan attempted to overtake the car, it didn’t give way. Fortunately, with his experience, he managed to stabilize himself at the corner. Any other driver would have veered off the track. In the tenth minute, Lu Zhiyuan found the perfect moment to overtake from the outer circle. It was one of the most challenging overtakes, but with his exceptional skills and mental fortitude, he pushed the Ferrari driver off the track. The driver attempted to retaliate, but Lu Zhiyuan elerated, avoiding the collision. The Ferrari driver careened off the track, crashing into the guardrail. The medical team quickly attended to him.
“Beautiful!” Zhou Jinjin leaped up and shouted.
The stands erupted with cheers and shouts. This overtaking maneuver was truly remarkable, eliciting a wave of excitement.
After overtaking the car, Lu Zhiyuan secured third ce, closely trailing the second-ce driver. The Ferrari driver remained in the lead, with both drivers working together to impede Lu Zhiyuan’s progress. Max held the fourth position, responsible for blocking the driver behind Lu Zhiyuan.
Gu Ci felt a mix of nervousness and exhration. It was her first time witnessing Lu Zhiyuan’s qualifying race. In the past, when she was with Zhou Jinjin, she had never truly observed him. In her previous life, she had also dabbled in racing and knew how dangerous Lu Zhiyuan’s maneuver had been. If the angle of the curve had been slightly different, he could have flipped over.
A daringpetitor!
Zhou Jinjin proudly remarked, “As expected of you. Keep going!”
“We don’t need to secure first ce. The main race is tomorrow,” Gu Ci said, her nerves tingling, yet she remained rational. The Third Master was in the race car, and he was more level-headed than her, knowing how to make strategic choices.
The qualifying match was merely for determining the starting order, and third ce was already advantageous. It was wise to conserve his energy.
Chen Rushi twirled his thumb ring, a slight smile ying on his lips. “He has surpassed my expectations every step of the way. I believe he can achieve first ce.”
As they conversed, Lu Zhiyuan executed a brilliant inside overtake, securing the second position. There were still three minutes remaining until the end of the race. Lu Zhiyuan continued to elerate, utilizing his exceptional skills.
Gu Ci stood up, finding it hard to believe what she was witnessing. Had he gone mad?
She gripped the railing, listening to the deafening cheers. There was only one thought in her mind—was he in pain? He was injured, and the track was incredibly intense. Racing at full speed would undoubtedly worsen his injuries.
Zhou Jinjin’s voice had turned hoarse from constant shouting. She was the most fervent fan, wishing she could amplify her cheers with a loudspeaker. Chen Rushi, on the other hand, sipped his red wine, but his gaze was fixed on Gu Ci.
The fire burning on the racetrack shed with Gu Ci’s cold, snow-like demeanor. She stood out, fragile and abrupt amidst the fervor. Chen Rushi licked his lips.
Suddenly, he felt an unfamiliar impulse.
What if her gaze were directed at him? This thought ignited an unexpected desire within him.
“Lu Zhiyuan, don’t elerate any further,” Gu Ci muttered to herself.
The atmosphere on the field reached its peak. The cheers of the fans, the excited shouts from the televised broadcast, and the fierce battle between Lu Zhiyuan and the Ferrari driver for first ce captivated everyone’s attention.
Lu Zhiyuan exerted his utmost effort to catch up. The finish line drew near, with just one minute remaining. Just when the Ferrari fans believed victory was within their grasp and that Lu Zhiyuan, injured, would not risk overtaking, he surpassed the Ferrari driver by half a car’s length in thest ten seconds. With his exceptional skills and determination, he crossed the finish line..